82-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 10, 2003 Momma’s Cooking Stirs Memories Mother’s are cherished for many reasons and Mother's Day on Sunday will remind many people to express that apprecia tion to their moms, grandmoms, and other special females in their lives. One of the most-often men tioned attribute that many chil dren and grownups express is “Mamma’s cooking” consid ered the best. Here are some recipes from our readers who associate fond mem ories with the cooking of their mothers, grandmothers, and mother-in-laws. Many readers can probably identify with Sandy Alderfer who writes of the recipe that she contributed: “There is nothing special about this recipe, but it makes me feel connected to all my family bakers who have taught me so much.” GRAPE JUICE PUDDING 1 quart grape juice, sweetened 2 tablespoons unflavored gel atin 8 ounces cream cheese, soft ened 2 cups whipped cream Soften gelatin in Vi cup grape juice, heat remaining juice to Recipe Topics If you have recipes for topics listed below, please share them with us. We welcome your recipes, but ask that you include ac curate measurements, a complete list of ingredients, and clear instructions with each recipe you submit. Be sure to include your name and address. Recipes should reach our office one week be fore the publishing date listed below. Send your recipes to Lou Ann Good, Lancaster Farming, P.O. Box 609, Ephrata, PA 17522. May 17 Asparagus, Rhubarb, Springtime Recipes 24 Memorial Day Cookout 31 Strawberry Recipe Favorites June 7 Dairy Recipe Entries Mother’s Day Tribute Showcases Mother-Son Dairy Bonnie Kiser hugs her son John, 26, and daughter Amber, 14. The trio works hard to achieve success with a 40-head herd. “Everyone thinks you got to be big, but you don’t you just need to be efficient,” Bonnie said of dairy farming successfully. boiling then add softened gelatin. Cool until slightly jelled. Whip cream cheese into whipped cream and add to grape juice. This is a recipe that my hus band asked me to get from his mother, Mary Wenger. We live on the next farm to my in-laws and / feel fortunate to have such good neighbors. Happy Mother’s Day! Cheryl Wenger Womelsford BAKED CASSEROLE 2 cups cooked diced potatoes 1 cup cooked peas 2 cups spam Place vegetables and meat in 2 quart casserole dish. Mix white sauce and pour over all. White Sauce: Vi cup butter Vi cup flour 2 cups milk Melt butter and stir in flour. Slowly add milk cooking until thickened. Mix IVi cup cracker crumbs and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Sprinkle on top of casserole and bake at 350° for 45 minutes. My mom, Anna Fox, made this casserole often while I was growing up. We thought it was really good. When I was learn ing to cook, around age 12, this was a recipe I could handle. Mom would cook the potatoes in their jackets before she went to work in the morning. After school I would peel and dice the cooled potatoes and mix up the rest of it, then Pd have sup per ready for mom. Cheryl Wenger Womelsdorf GRANNY’S COOKIES V/i cups flour 1 teaspoon soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup shortening V* cup brown sugar 3 A cup white sugar 2 eggs unbeaten 1 teaspoon hot water 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup chopped walnuts 1 12-ounce package chocolate chips 2 cups oatmeal Combine flour, soda, and salt. Cream shortening. Add sugars gradually. Add eggs, beating after addition. Add hot water. Then dry ingredients. Add nuts and chips, and then oatmeal. Mix throughly. Bake 375° for 8 minutes. This is long time favorite with my 84-year-old mother, Anne Ahlbom. It was given to her by my dad’s mother many years ago. My daughter’s return to college always included a container of Granny’s Cookies. Belle Vernon HOT MILK SPONGE CAKE 2 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder Vi teaspoon salt 1 cup milk 4 tablespoons butter 4 eggs 2 cups sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Heat milk and LOU ANN GOOD Food And Family Features Editor LITITZ (Lancaster Co.) On Mother’s Day, most children take time to thank their mothers for things that they appreciate. But John and Amber Kiser don’t wait for one day a year to express their gratitude to their mom, Bonnie Kiser. “Almost every day I think of how my mom makes it possible for me to farm,” said John. “I couldn’t do it without her.” He’s referring to his dream of dairy farming. While many sons and fathers form partnerships, the Kisers have a more unique position a mother and son partnership. “My mom is the best partner I could have,” John said. “It prob ably wouldn’t work well if I had employees I’m too picky.” They own 40 head of milking herd (Mega Star Holsteins), which they raise on a rented farm in the Lititz area. “Everyone thinks you got to be big, but you don’t you just need to be efficient,” Bonnie said of dairy farming. She grew up the youngest of Sandy Alderfer and her share recipes and friendship. butter until butter melts, keep hot. Beat eggs until thick and lemon colored, about 3 minutes on high speed. Gradually add sugar, beating constantly at me dium speed for 4-5 minutes. Add sifted dry ingredients to egg mix ture, stir just until blended. Stir in hot milk mixture and vanilla, blend well. Turn batter into greased and floured lOx 13-inch pan. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes. Don’t in vert, cool in pan. This was my great-grand mother’s recipe, Alice (Bill man) Brobst, who was bom in 1878. She baked it for her 9 children to enjoy. At a family reunion, I was surprised to find that many family members still bake it for their families to enjoy. There is nothing special about this recipe but it makes me feel connected to all of my family bakers who have taught me so much. My family likes this cake plain with sliced strawberries or sprinkled with confectioners’ sugar. You can also frost it with your favorite icing. Grace Beck seven children on a dairy farm in York County. “My parents did not encourage any of us (siblings) to farm. They thought it was too hard of a life.” None of her siblings pursued a farming career, but over the years Bonnie often milked cows at large dairy complexes. “I learned a lot about what to do and what not to do for a suc cessful operation through those experiences,” Bonnie said. “I believe it is important to pay attention to small details. If you do, it definitely pays off,” she said. “If the milker needs repair do it immediately. If a cow is sick, treat it. You won’t have in come unless you have produc tion, and you can’t get produc tion if you don’t take care of your cows and equipment.” John’s dream to farm was birthed from accompanying his grandfather to auctions and help ing him feed steers. During his five years in York County 4-H, John showed raised heifer and beef projects. In 1991, the Kisers moved to Lancaster County. John joined FFA at So lanco High School. He raised steers, hogs, and cows for animal mom Suzanne Banyacsky COCONUT OATMEAL COOKIES 1 cup shortening 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup + 2 tablespoons flour 1 teaspoon soda l A teaspoon salt 1-2 cups flaked coconut 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups quick cooking oatmeal Cream shortening and sugars; add eggs and vanilla. Cream well. Add dry ingredients togeth er with oatmeal and coconut. Drop on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350° for about 10 minutes. Shirley M. Jackson writes that she wants to honor her mother-in-law Eva Jackson. “Eva is a good cook, a lovely homemaker, and a very nice lady. She is on the go all the time doing something. ” Shirley Jackson Peach Bottom Sandy Alderfer Schwenksville Partnership projects and was a member of the land judging team, which placed first in the state and went on to national competition in Oklaho ma City. "While still in high school, John got a job helping with the evening and weekend milking on a Lancaster County dairy farm. By the time John was gradu ated from Solanco High School in 1995, he had accumulated 12 Holsteins. One year later, he and his mom, who is divorced, pur chased a 50-head herd from the farm where his mother worked. “It seemed like a good idea to buy cows we knew. Mom milked the cows and I did the feeding. We split the milk check with the farm owner,” John said. For several years they re mained on the farm where the herd had been raised. Eager to become more inde pendent, the Kisers took advan tage of a better deal by renting facilities in Little Britain. They moved the cows from the frees tall facility to a tiestall bam (Turn to Page B 3) (Turn to Page B 6)
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